Roman Beginnings - Prince Aeneas led Trojans to Italy where they joined the Latins and settled on the Palatine Hill near Rome. The myth of Romulus and Remus tells that they were fathered by the god Mars and went on to found Rome. - The Etruscans were Italy's first highly civilized people located north of Rome. They built walled cities, had a class system, and influenced Roman religion, architecture like the arch, and military techniques. - Gladiatorial games developed from Etruscan funeral rituals involving slaves fighting to the death and became a major form of entertainment in Rome, especially in the Colosseum. They served the political purpose